Introducing MRSC's New Finance Consultant, Mike Bailey

After more than 38 years in the trenches as a public finance professional, I’m very pleased to announce my new role as a Finance Consultant for MRSC. I’ve admired the important work that MRSC does on behalf of local governments and their public servants working on behalf of their communities, and I always hoped I would be able to join the team.

In my role here on MRSC’s policy team, I’ll join Toni Nelson, Laura Crandall, and others in answering your questions, providing training, contributing resources, and working hard to improve the quality of service to local governments and their communities. In addition, I hope to bring some added skills and experience to the MRSC portfolio as well. More about that later.

My work in Washington local government started in Pierce County in 1980, following a stint in the US Air Force. It was while I was serving at McChord AFB that I earned a Bachelor’s in Accounting from University of Puget Sound (UPS). I was able to complete a Master’s in Business with an emphasis in Public Policy (also at UPS) shortly afterward and successfully sat for the CPA examination not long after.

Following a few years at Pierce County (in their Community Action Agency), my career path went to the Metropolitan Parks District in Tacoma, and the cities of Wenatchee, Everett, Lynnwood, Renton, and Redmond, in that order. I moved from Accountant to Finance Director soon after arriving at Metro Parks District and have been in that role since that time. I’ve also had the privilege to supervise the technology functions at all those agencies as well. I’ve been a City Clerk (Wenatchee) and Risk Manager (Wenatchee, Lynnwood, and Redmond) as well.

I’ve enjoyed being actively involved in our professional associations, including serving as president of the Washington Finance Officers Association (WFOA) in 2000, and on the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Executive Board and Budget Committees (as co-chair). I’ve taught courses on public policy and fiscal topics for a variety of organizations, including MRSC, Association of Washington Cities, Washington State, GFOA, and others. I enjoy and am energized by working with my peers to help find ways to improve public service in our communities.

Now, more about the additional service offerings I plan to bring to MRSC. I’ve enjoyed working with many communities here in Washington (as well as around the country and beyond!) in developing strategic goals, new budget processes, solid financial plans, and in addressing complex issues. I’ve done this for elected officials, appointed staff, and with community input through meeting facilitation and other efforts. I’m looking forward to creating some new offerings for city and county clients who may need some specific types of assistance with more advanced, community-based work. We’ll be providing more information about how your community might find value in this service and connect with MRSC to bring that value home.

In the meantime, my wife Debbie and I have raised four children (three daughters and a son) who have all settled into families and careers of their own. Our oldest daughter resides in Dublin, Ireland, which creates the excuse for us to visit our four grandchildren every now and then. Our other four grandchildren are close by and we enjoy their company often. We love to travel and see the country (we’ve been to eight presidential libraries, for example) and enjoy helping friends in the Woodinville wine industry.

I look forward to connecting with you soon as we explore ways for us to improve public service to our communities together.

About Mike Bailey

Mike Bailey joined MRSC in September 2018 as a Finance Consultant. He has worked in local government finance since 1980 and was the City of Redmond Finance & Technology Director for the past 10 years.

He is a former president of the Washington Government Finance Officers Association (WFOA) and served on their Executive Board. He was chair of the GFOA Budget and Management Committee and is the local government representative to the Streamlined Sales Tax Project.

Mike is a CPA and his BA and MBA are from the University of Puget Sound. Mike conducts workshops on local government financial management, budget, and financial leadership and leads council retreats and strategic planning processes.